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The
Death Knight
"A death knight,"
said Nightshade.
"According to the
goddess, yes," Rhys answered.
"We're supposed to go to
Storm's Keep and confront a death knight and rescue the goddess's son's
spirit, which is trapped in a khas piece. From a death knight."
Rhys nodded his head in
silent confirmation.
"Have you been drinking?"
Nightshade asked seriously.
"No," said Rhys, smiling.
"Did you get hit on the
head? Run over by a wagon? Stepped in by a mule? Fall down a flight of
stairs--"
"I'm in my right mind,"
Rhys assured him "At least, I think I am. I know this sounds
unbelievable--"
"Whoo-boy!" Nightshade
exclaimed with a whistle.
"But here's is the
proof."
He and the kender stood
on the road several hundred yards from the shores of Crystalmir Lake.
The name came from the lake's deep blue crystalline water. The name was
a misnomer now. The water was a sickening shade of yellow green and
smelled of decaying eggs. Untold numbers of fish lay on the shore, dead
or dying. Even from a distance, with the wind blowing away from them,
the smell was appalling.
Nightshade held his nose.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. You know that I'll never be able to eat
fish again," he added in aggrieved tones.
The two of them walked
back toward Solace, passing the crowds of people who had turned out to
see the fish-kill. Everyone had a theory, from outlaws poisoning the
lake to wizards casting a curse on it. Fear tainted the air as badly as
the smell of the dead fish.
"I've been thinking,
Rhys," Nightshade said, as they headed back into town. "I'm not very
trustworthy and I'm not at all good in a fight. If you don't want to
take me with you, my feelings won't be hurt. I'll be glad to stay with
the sheriff to help take care of Atta."
He put his hand on Atta's
head, petting her. She permitted this, although her gaze was intent on
Rhys.
He smiled at Nightshade's
generous offer. "I know this is dangerous. I would not ask you to risk
your life, my friend, but I truly do need you. I won't be able to tell
for certain which khas piece contains the knight's soul--"
"The goddess told you it
was the black knight," Nightshade interrupted.
"My mother had a saying,"
said Rhys wryly. "'Consider the source'."
Nightshade sighed. "Yeah,
I guess you're right."
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